The nature of risk during interactions between the police and intoxicated offenders

Trends & issues in crime and criminal justice no. 525

Abstract | How best to respond to and manage intoxicated offenders is a concern shared by policing agencies across Australia. Intoxicated offenders present additional behavioural and health risks during their interaction with police. These risks may result in harm to the officers, the offender or the community. This research examined
how intoxication influences the nature
and magnitude of the risk associated with police officer/offender interactions.

Using data from the National Deaths in
Custody Program, a qualitative sample
of 41 cases were analysed. These cases involved offenders who died in police
custody and who, according to autopsy
results, had alcohol or drugs in their
system at the time of death.

Results showed that, while intoxication
influences an offender’s behaviour and
health, the overall level of risk during
the interaction was determined by the
interplay between these two elements
and the police response. This interplay
between intoxicated behaviours,
health risks and police responses
should be considered in the
development of policies and practices
to minimise harm.